Easy 2-5-1 Soloing System That Works! Gypsy Jazz Guitar Secrets

🔥Start Your 14-Day FREE All-Access Trial of the Gypsy Jazz Club Today!
► www.GypsyJazzClub.com
🔥Grab a copy of my new book - Beginner Gypsy Jazz Guitar today!
► www.GypsyJazzBook.com
🔥Dive into my Free 10-Minute Gypsy Jazz Crash-Course here:
► www.GypsyJazzCrashCourse.com
🎸 Never Miss a Live Show; Subscribe & Hit the 🔔
👍 Thank You For Liking And Sharing! ❤️
Try out my foolproof 2-5-1 soloing system that works!
Understanding and having great solo lines through 2-5-1progrssions at your disposal is key in jazz and gypsy jazz improvisation.
2-5-1 progressions can be found in practically every tune we know.
Check out my 'Triangle' system which helps me navigate through 2-5-1 progressions all the time.
For a 2-5-1 in C major . Dm7-G7-Cmag
1. Triangle is G-F-A
2. Over Dm play G-F-A
3. Over G7 play G-F-G#
4. Over C mag play G-E-G
This gives you a pattern to work with.
Then you need to add character, swing, bends, ornamentation, and feeling to make it sound great.
Learn the triangle shape in 2 positions using the B-G-D strings and higher up on the E-B-G strings.
You can use this shape to solo in gypsy jazz at any tempo. Ballads and swinging tunes all apply of course.
Have fun!
It’s all about learning and absorbing these small tasty bite size ideas into your playing. Before you know it you’ve got a ton of great stuff at your fingertips!
Swing Out!
Robin
If you have a question about gypsy jazz just zap me a mail:
[e-mail]

[@willhogan1309]

look forward to that lesson cheers robin.👍

[@SuperlocoGypsy]

very clear explanation !

[@shmockiebaby]

Wow. As a long term guitarist, just recently getting into Gypsy Jazz, this is one of the best (and simplest) lessons I have ever seen. Thanks, Robin!

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

+Mark Shimonkevitz thanks for the positive feedback Mark that really helps me with my lessons - cheers! Robin

[@Cordova4444]

Really enjoy your laid back way of explaining things. you're a great instructor. Thank you for the time and effort. Cheers

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Thanks Ben stay inspired mate! 😃Robin

[@mfkammersgaard]

You seem insanely nice, Rob. Thanks for all the uploads. Really helps me swinging through summer:)

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Glad you're having a swinging summer...stay inspired! Robin

[@wongwsw]

These Gypsy Guitar lessons rocks..enjoy it very much..

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

wongwsw thanks for the kind words mate glad they help.... stay inspired! 🎸❤️Robin

[@invisiblefriendmrj]

Robin, you are the best. Thanks for all your work!!!

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Thanks for the kind words Ron I’m really glad the lessons help! Robin

[@80sMeavyHetal]

Thanks, man. Very helpful! ♥

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

+80sMeavyHetal cheers!

[@37BopCity]

Great explanation to get the 2-5-1 sound in your head.

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

glad it helps! 😃Robin

[@albertoorozco6004]

This is the kind of lesson that i was looking for. Thanks from venezuela !! 🔥

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Happy it helps Alberto. All the best! 🎸❤️Robin

[@Matthew-pf9mj]

Brilliant

[@pjokivuo]

Absolutely fantastic lesson, thanks a lot!

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

+Pertti Jokivuori glad you like it, stay inspired! - Robin

[@davidhinchliffe3354]

Great videos man....ive got loads of tips off your lessons. So thanks. 💥🎸🔥

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

David Hinchliffe welcome David glad they help! Robin

[@johnrichard9606]

very helpful, thanks Robin

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

cheers John! Robin

[@roccodambrosio9859]

Grande!

[@ramonfw]

This is great! I'm gonna use this one on my tenor sax too for sure, lovely licks!

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Cheers Ramon stay inspired! Robin

[@bospin]

Liked and subscribed. Thanks a lot.

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

glad the lessons help Jos - Robin

[@brunwcarv]

i love your videos, you`are great teacher and player. thank you for your tips

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

bruno carv thanks for the kind words Bruno I’m really glad they help you! 🎸❤️Robin

[@user-os6tv6vo1i]

Nice explanation! Cool lwssons!

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Thanks man glad it helps! Robin

[@muddyruckus]

Rob you are awesome!

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

+Muddy Ruckus it's not me it's the music! Stay inspired!

[@willhogan1309]

Great lesson very useful cheers Robin✌

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

+Will hogan thanks Will glad it works for u cheers

[@dodo23762]

Great lesson! Cheers from Italy

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Thanks man keep swinging! 😀 Robin

[@gorlovdesign]

It's very cool that the lessons become aimed to expand the musical vision of not only harmony, but also melodic design! Robin, thank you from Russia!

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

+Игорь Горлов thanks man great to hear you like the lessons - stay inspired! - Robin

[@nickcaldwell9528]

Yep 👍

[@kmhtaylor]

I have always been in lust with this style of playing. Tonally, and structurally beyond compare, so much so that I am using these techniques in my bass playing to develop a different value and texture. Love the classes, keep it up, mate!

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Nice one Miles! 🙏💕🎸Robin

[@kmhtaylor]

@@GypsyJazzSecrets - There have been and still are, a lot of influential bass players in the world, but when you take a 2-5-1 solo over to a rock/blues genre, people take a second look! It certainly adds a level of dynamic that spices up a joint.

[@adamharry4235]

HI i just discoverd this channel . its very helpful thnks

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

adam harry welcome Adam glad the lessons help! 🎸❤️Robin

[@CreativeOnPurpose]

These tips are always insightful and useful, but this is genius! That's Robin!

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

+Scott Perry haha Scott 3 notes 3 chords - that's all you need!?

[@CreativeOnPurpose]

+Gypsy Jazz Secrets Definitely all you need for a hit! ;)

[@jerroldborenstein690]

so simple and sweet

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

+JERRY BORENSTEIN thanks Jerry always trying to keep it simple - cheers, Robin

[@jerroldborenstein690]

+Gypsy Jazz Secrets Much harder to be so simple and that good. Love it. Thanks

GREAT! You´ve got a subscriber here. Greetings from Brazil!

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

+Luís Bettinelli hey Luis great, thanks. I played in Brazil last year and had the best time - next year coming back! - cheers, Robin

Gypsy Jazz Secrets Great! I won´t miss that.

[@Fghjk-hs9zd]

Thanks for this kind of information ❤️❤️❤️

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Mark Consuelo welcome Mark glad it helps! Robin

[@Fghjk-hs9zd]

😊😊😊

[@riffraff778]

Hey Robin! That's a great simple tip! I can't wait to put that into practice. Thanks mate!

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

riff raff you’re welcome man let me know how it works for you! ❤️🎸Robin

[@riffraff778]

Been working on it. It works fine, and should create new paths and spice up my 251s as well. Really like the color. THIS is music. Keep up the good work, mate. It really helps.

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

riff raff great to hear mate stay inspired and let me if u need anything. 🎸❤️Robin

[@awsomisprime1]

damn that helped

[@Dryburger147]

love the lesson, but he looks like hes constantly about to burst into laughter.

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

could be worse! thanks man stay inspired - Robin

[@brianosbment2343]

That is a handy idea!

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Glad it works for u Brian! Cheers, Robin

[@AngeloDopwell]

nice quitar

[@bwbillwilliamsbw]

Neat!

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

+Bill Williams cheers Bill!

[@SanMaiero]

Ja Great Channel !

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Sanny Maier glad it helps Sanny! Robin

[@SanMaiero]

Gypsy Jazz Secrets it helps us thank you 🙏

[@ambiguationdotnet]

Hey Robin, love the videos, very helpful! Cheers!! - Dave :-)

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Thx for the feedback Dave really glad they help 😃 Stay inspired! Robin

[@arnoldwegstern5124]

Marvellous. He could work together with the clarinet- swing-genious Martin Schmidt-Hahn

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Great! Robin

[@baSsDiaRy01]

cool sir🤗🙏

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Welcome! Robin

[@baSsDiaRy01]

@@GypsyJazzSecrets 👌👊

[@Stevesoffthecouch]

Cool..

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

S Dengfoo yeah! 🎸❤️Robin

[@funkstrummer2151]

It's the accent you speak with that's got me. It's almost as if you're English but have lived in Australia/NZ for a decade or so. I'm intrigued...

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Acoustic Man aha...yes my dad from Liverpool, mum from Hampshire, brought up in Hong Kong, Isle Of Man, then Leeds, London, Amsterdam (where I've lived for 20yrs) wife Canadian... but you're not the 1st to say that! Cheers - Robin😃

[@donngoodside6885]

Robin ___ Sorry, I was unable to Join the Club... Luv your Jazz Secrets. Great Stuff / keep them coming. Donn

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Donn Goodside thanks for the kind words Don, will carry on! Robin

[@JustMyTwoCentz]

Can you or someone around here explain me how to find the notes for the triangle and the notes fitting the chords ? I quite didnt understand this :/

[@lovewalruss]

cool

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

lovewalruss glad it helps! Robin

[@willhogan1309]

Hey Robin any tips on soloing over after youve gone thnx in advance🎼🎶🎵

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

+Will hogan yeah I can make a video looking at sections of that tune - good idea mate

[@torontolarrivee7965]

What a useful lesson - thanks for posting!

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

+TorontoLarrivee yeah you're welcome cheers! - Robin

[@jeffreychu9174]

Great lesson! But could sort of explain the theory behind the triangle system? For example in the C major 2 5 1, wat were the 3 notes for the triangle on D and why does it work for that chord?

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Hey Jeff - so the 3 notes for a 251 in C are G & F ok the B string and A on the D string. Then u flatten the A when u hit G7 then again when u hit C. So the important line is A, Ab, G. The notes on the B string are colors - try it out a few times and let me know how u get on! Robin

[@bubbarand2561]

Brilliant. You are going to make a musician out me yet. Important question: How can I put some money in your pocket. I feel guilty that I get so much good information from you without paying you back somehow.

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

That's my mission, to get u playing 😉 You should check out the digital Gypsy Jazz Guitar Secrets magazine available here: www.gypsyjazzsecrets.com lot's of great lessons and music there. Stay inspired mate! Robin

[@RSM2042]

Hi Robin, what gauge strings do you use? btw, do you know what gauge strings bireli uses? Love your lessons and thanks!!

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

+eMail From Rip I use argentine 11's made by Savarez. Not sure about Bireli but would guess 11's - some guitars sound better with 10's but mostly 11's - cheers - Robin

[@RSM2042]

thanks!!!

[@marcromanrosich]

Very good lesson,Robin! Which guitar do you recommend me to play gypsy jazz? I mean,one that sounds good but not too expensive. Thanks!

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Marc Román hi Marc - I play Polak Gypsy Guitars which are fantastic... there are cheaper factory gypsy guitars available like Saga Gitane and Alta Mira too... have fun! Robin

[@marcromanrosich]

Gypsy Jazz Secrets Thanks for the information!!

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Marc Román ur welcome Marc

[@skatetodeath666]

What other chords usually go with the 2 5 1 progression ? Just getting into gypsy jazz so this is all very new and heavy on the theory from blues which is what ive been sticking to for years now. Thanks ;)

[@maxmilligan5672]

If you're a blues player try A blues scale over the 2 5 1 in C ( Dm G C or Dm7 G7 Cmaj7or Dm9 G13 C6/9 so many options. ) Your key centre is C major. A blues scale is made up from A minor pentatonic with a b5.

[@skatetodeath666]

@@maxmilligan5672 thanks will give this a try

[@zwijdenes1376]

That g sharp from the sub chord? Dflat? Melodic minor?

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

G# Melodic Minor works well over G7 try it!

[@l1feson]

Hi Robin. I’m about to get my first GJ guitar, having fallen for this style. I’m coming from a rock and blues background. I’m looking forward to trying out some of your starter lessons! Merry Xmas from Cheshire 😄

[@perpetualmotion319]

I sometimes use octangles, squares, circles and if I´m in a the mood I even play cubes! ;)

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

+Perpetual Motion we come in all shapes and sizes!

[@perpetualmotion319]

indeed!

[@voiceoftreason1760]

Theres also this diamond shape in the dominant arpeggio, which is nice.

[@Pablo-ft6un]

So youre playing the G sharp over the G7, right? Minor second - a busload of tension with the g (root) and the f (min seventh)…

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Exactly!

[@swiessler]

Hi Robin, Sounds great, easy to play, but I am not getting the theory involved in moving from 2 to 5 to 1, or from key to key or how to move other than trial and error?

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

tyrewq asdfg So a 2-5-1 in Cmajor is Dm7-G7-C. The triangle of 3 notes is G-F-A. But the G and F aren’t really important. What is important is the A. Played 7th fret D string. This is played over the Dm7. Over G7 the A moves down 1 fret to Ab played on the 6th fret D string. Then over the C you slide down 1 more fret to G (5th fret D string) So the line is A-Ab-G. This is the backbone of this idea for a 2-5-1. It’s not fancy at all but just one handy way to think about playing through this common profession. Make sense?! Robin

[@coleashmore]

Another way to look at is, the highest note of the triangle is the root note of the 5 chord.

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

cole ashmore yes that work!

[@AndalusianIrish]

Hi Robin. I love how you make this type of jazz so accessible without bogging us down with theory. I am a bedroom guitarist who plays in private to relax and I am definitely going to give this and "Swing Gitane" a go. Obviously a big part of the gypsy jazz sound is the type of guitar you use but any tips for approximating that sound if you are on a budget and cannot afford to buy a new guitar?

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

glad the lessons help Andy. What guitar are you playing at the moment? I've seen the best play any guitar and it sounds great.. cheers, Robin

[@timsmith190]

Any ideas for minor 2-5-1?

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Tim Smith here you go try this 🎸❤️Robin kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4O0ZYOefreHaqc

[@creepinupalleys3859]

Great tutorial! could this be applied to a 7 3 6 progression? (-:

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Koma 661 thanks glad you found it helpful! Not sure I’m hip to the 736 progression , have an example? 🎸❤️Robin

[@yoyothasme123]

Phrygian (Major 3) Minor Tonic. So its really just 2 5 1 in relative minor key@@GypsyJazzSecrets

[@yoyothasme123]

so the 3 is now the 5

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Stephen Lorek 👌 perfect!

[@downhill240]

I am a little confused about the chord shapes of the 2-5-1 in "A"? Can you explain further? The shapes you showed aren't what I'm familiar with. Good lessons here!

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

+downhill240 For now here's a typical way I play the chords for a 2-5-1 in C major. I'll work from low string to high so bottom E to top E. Dm7 E string 5th fret, D string 3rd fret, G string 5th fret, B string 6th fret. G7 E string 4th fret, D string 3rd fret, G string 4th fret, B string 5th fret. C A string 3rd fret, D string 5th fret, G string 5th fret, B string 5th fret In A you play Bm7 - E7 - A Bm7 on the 7th fret E7 7th fret A 5th fret. make sense?

[@jt11erink]

Dm7 - G7 - Cmaj7 - ... Can someone tell me which chord rounds off this progression nicely? I'm feeling and almost hearing it, but don't know which it is.

[@Democracy_Manifest]

A7 (or alternatively Fmaj7)

[@thestreetman5284]

top

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Thanks and stay inspired mate! 🤘❤️🎸

[@Jameskeith1972]

Robin. I am going to break this down for teaching purposes . Please explain how this cluster method you demonstrated is based on arpeggios. That way I can check my work. All of this helps both me and my students. Otherwise, it’s hard for me to show this video to them without further explanation . Patterns are great, but ultimately it’s extremely important to introduce chunks of theory. Thanks.

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Hi Keith - The most important line is the A-Ab-G. The A is part of the Dm7 chord the Ab the b9 of G7 and the G the 5th of C major. The G and F notes on the B string just add some colour. Make any sense? cheers! Robin

[@Jameskeith1972]

Gypsy Jazz Secrets That’s what I got in my notes! Thanks Robin.

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Keith Pevey cool!

[@charliebollinger6475]

Are those nylon strings?

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Hi Charlie - No they are not nylon. They are steel kind of strings. The main brand of Gypsy Jazz strings is Argentine made by Savarez. Kind of like silk & steel. Cheers! Robin

[@yaboory3928]

Can u make the same but for 1-6-2-5?

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

yes that's possible of course....going from chord 1 to 6 is pretty easy as you can play notes from the major scale and arpeggio for both the 1 & 6. So in C that would be C & Am. Then you dive into the 2-5. cheers! Robin

[@yaboory3928]

Gypsy Jazz Secrets yeah but the problem comes, for example, in Swing 42 because the chords last a half of a beat and its dificult to play the arpeggio of each chord, i can only play 2 notes per arpeggio 😭

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

then forget trying to play arpeggios for each chord and simply play C over it all. In Swing 42 play C ideas over the the A and E ideas over the B. it can work as simple as that. Then use your ear to gradually bring in notes that suggest the changing of the chords.....u can also be bluesy.

[@yaboory3928]

Gypsy Jazz Secrets thank u very muchhhhhh i will try to add some blues to my gypsy jazz style although it's a strange idea 😂😂

[@kidgloves2]

Who's the maker of this guitar? and what kind of top is that? thanks

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

+kidgloves2 the guitar is made by JWC Guitars in England. The top made of bear claw spruce - a beauty!

[@danawoodaman6746]

+Gypsy Jazz Secrets I just got my JWC Favino style - a great guitar!

[@ReileyWilliams]

Where is this coming from (Theory/Scale/arpeggio)

[@DailyDoseTranscriptions]

Cmajor (D dorian, G mixolydian and C ionian, which are all the same notes: c d e f g a b). Dm7 arpeggio: d f a c G7 arpeggio: g b d f Cmaj7 arpeggio: c e g b However notice he in fact plays a G7b9 (g b d f ab) which is an alteration.

[@ReileyWilliams]

Thanks man! You helped me out a lot!

[@yunesbb]

a G# note over a G7 chord ? it sounds a little off, even in jazz

[@rain1ny444]

its a flat 9 buddy, and you're an idiot

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Hi Yunes - If you follow the line A-G#-G through the 2-5-1 progression a few times you will get used to it and hear how the G# creates tension which is cool when released. Cheers! 😃 Robin

[@ziadmohammad2829]

🤎🖤🤎

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Welcome! 🙏🎸❤️

[@danielsheltraw8773]

Anytime a musician uses the word “system” I turn away and tune them out, often permanently. Do the very hard work of developing you ears and your ear-to-instrument connection. Systems are for the lazy and uninspired.

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

Lots of ways to look at it Dan 🙏💕🎸Robin

[@danielsheltraw8773]

@@GypsyJazzSecrets I appreciate your music and teaching immensely, Robin. Please don’t use the “system” language of musical hucksters. Red flag.

[@StuffBudDuz]

@@danielsheltraw8773 Nothing wrong with having a starting point.

[@danielsheltraw8773]

@@StuffBudDuz Yes. Birth.

[@mesolithicman164]

I like your videos but I have a problem with your eyebrows. If you're plucking them then I think you should throttle back a bit because you are looking perpetually surprised.

[@manualfair]

Once you understand that sound.... you can fill in all the gaps.... with the triangular system ahahahahaha!!! A jazz lesson you could find in a Waltdisney cartoon perhaps. Thanks a lot pal! What a Crap!

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

take it easy and stay inspired mate!

[@davidpanzer1166]

Brilliant

[@GypsyJazzSecrets]

glad it helps David! Robin